Math 1 (MA111)
Lecture # 3
Types of Functions
1. Polynomials
2. Rational function
3. Absolute value function “Modulus”
4. Square root function “radicals”
5. Exponential function
6. Logarithmic function
7. Trigonometric functions
8. Hyperbolic functions
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1. Polynomial function (Polynomial)
A function P(x) is called an nth degree polynomial if it is of the
form:
P( x) = an x n + an −1x n −1 + ... + a1x + ao
Where n is a non-negative integer and the numbers
a0,a1,…,an are real constants called coefficients of the
polynomial.
The domain of any polynomial is the set of all real numbers
= (-∞, ∞).
The highest power of x appearing in the polynomial is said to
be the degree of the polynomial.
For example: P(x) = 3x 2 − 2 x + 4 is a polynomial of
degree 2 (quadratic polynomial).
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Constant Functions
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Linear Function
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The Parabolic Function f(x) = x2
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Graphs of some polynomials
Polynomial Polynomial Polynomial of
of degree 3 of degree 4 degree 8. Why?
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Graphs of Special polynomials
The zero degree polynomial
(the constant function y = k)
Some other basic polynomials
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Shifting Functions
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Example: Vertical Shift Example: Horizontal Shift
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Scaling and Reflecting Functions
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Reflection across
the y- axis
Example: Reflections
Reflection across
the x- axis
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Example: Vertical Scaling Example: Horizontal Scaling
Challenging problem: Sketch the graph of y = - 3x2 + 6x -1
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2. The Rational function
The quotient of two polynomials is called a
rational function f(x):
P( x)
f ( x) =
Q( x)
Where P(x) and Q(x) are polynomials.
The domain of the rational function consists of all
real values of x such that Q(x) 0.
For example, the domain of the rational function
f(x) = (3x2-1)/(x-4) is - {4} = {x|xє, x 4}.
P(x) Q(x) 14
Some special rational functions
The graph for The graph for
y = 1/xn y = 1/xn
will have similar will have similar
shape shape
when n is odd Challenging problem: Sketch the graph of when n is even
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y= +5
2( 1 − x )3
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3. The Absolute Value Function f(x) = |x|
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Trail Example
Graph the function y = |x − 2| - 1
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Solutions: Both horizontal and vertical shifts
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4. Radical Functions
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Reflection on the coordinate axes
Example: Graph the following
functions:
a) f ( x) = x
b) f ( x ) = − x
c) f ( x) = − x
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Solution: Reflections
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Dr. Ahmad Moursy 22